Food for Thought2 Timothy 1:7 Fear
Food for Thought
An all-creatures.org Guide to Kingdom Living

By Marni Montanez

2 Timothy 1:7 New King James Version

7. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Over the years I have discovered the incredible power present in these words.  It seems to be one of those verses that everyone needs at some point in their life.

Fear is the one feeling most people experience.. In some ways fear can help us to avoid danger;  however, the fear in this verse is referred to as a tormenting spirit.  There are many times throughout the bible  God says "don't be afraid",  revealing that it is our choice not to be overcome with fear.  This kind of fear is a demonic entity we allow in.

It comes in through an open door we ourselves leave open.  This door is left open when we believe the lies and doubt God’s word.   Anything contrary to God’s way of living will allow this kind of spirit in.

Some people live with  underlying and unnamed fear that permeates through their everyday life.  It can become part of their identity and influence the way they behave or the way they think.

It is a heavy load brought on by the enemy.  This is not how God created us.

First the writer tells us what God does not give us.  This is important information.  God definitely and undeniably is not a God of fear. There is no reason for Him to give us torment when He Himself says He wants us to have peace.  How could we ever trust Him if that were the case?

God does not have to resort to fear tactics to get our attention; instead He uses love and kindness to draw us close to Him and away from the enemy’s plans.   If you saw a little baby heading toward a cliff, you wouldn’t shout and startle the baby.   The baby doesn’t understand they are in danger. You would coax him with sweet and excited tones that would draw him toward you.   This is the same as with our Father. He doesn’t call us sheep for nothing.  We don’t know what we are allowing in because we are not skilled enough and we are not spiritually minded enough.

The next part of the verse reminds us of what God has given us.  He has given us power in His authority.  This kind of power can conquer nations and raise the dead. This kind of power can heal the sick and cast out demons.  It is a power that is unmatched and unchallenged.  There is no power on earth or in heaven like it.  We are filled with this power because we are filled with the Holy Spirit who is power.  The next thing the writer says God has given us is love.  When someone is loving there is no room for fear because love is God and comes from God and love trusts.   We are created to love and to be loved.  God created us in His image and He is love.  And then there is a sound or strong mind.   A mind with clarity of thought;  Sanity and clear understanding.   Even when we are surrendered without a need to know,  it is this wisdom that allows us the freedom to believe.   

Challenge:  Practice repeating this verse until you believe it.

God bless

Marni

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lamb-rightThe purpose of this series is to encourage people to live as loving, compassionate, and peacemaking children of God: Jesus tells us to pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) God tells us through Micah (6:8), "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God." And we know from Revelation 21:4 that there will be no more mourning, or crying, or pain, or death. Thus, Christian living requires us to set the standards of these conditions here on earth for our fellow human beings, and for the other animals, as a witness to the rest of the world. To do otherwise is not Christian.